What is the Conversation Café?
The Conversation Café is a live-online English speaking group. Learners can enjoy meeting other learners from different backgrounds and cultures while talking about different weekly topics.
How can this course help me?
1. Build speaking fluency
2. Build conversation skills
3. Build vocabulary and pronunciation
Introduction to the Conversation Café (3min video)
Apply here for the Conversation Café
Who is this course for?
All English learners and nationalities are welcome.
This is an English-only conversation course so it’s best for learners who already have some basic ability (eg. able to introduce themselves, talk about simple past experiences, future goals, and give basic opinions etc.). In other words, around upper-beginner (CEFR A2) level or over.
Learners are given the weekly conversation topics (and a short ‘useful vocabulary’ list) before each lesson giving them chance to prepare to speak each week (see course schedule below for topics).
When is the course? Who is the teacher? How many students are in a lesson?
Lesson timing: Every Sunday 4-4:50pm Japan Time (3am EST)
Teacher: Paul McAleese More about Paul
Lesson size: 6-15 students
Lesson format: Real-time (synchronous), online on Zoom*
*Learners need access to PC or device with a webcam & mic, and a stable internet/WIFI connection. Learners also need to have a Zoom account (it’s free)
How much do the lessons cost?
Course fee: USD$10/lesson (including all lesson materials and tax).
What happens in the lessons?
The course is live-online (ie. in real-time, from your home using your PC/laptop webcam & mic) with a relaxed and informal content. Each weekly lesson has a different conversation topic (eg. Week 1- Travel; Week 2 – Famous people).
Each lesson starts with a short speaking warm up, then the class is divided into smaller groups of 3-4 learners (break-out rooms). The learners in each group briefly introduce themselves and are then free to talk about the weekly talking points.
To keep the conversations active, every 7-8mins the learners in each group are changed randomly into new groups and asked to continue their conversations. For the final 10min of each lesson, the class comes back together for some friendly feedback/advice/questions from the teacher.
Each lesson also introduces a new conversation skill (eg. reacting, checking information, managing topics) and some new vocabulary/idioms that are often used in speaking.
Apply here for the Conversation Café
Sample lesson report (Course 1, September 26, 2021)
Feedback from students
“I like all the contents. Paul always gives some tips for the conversation to go on smoothly by giving some examples which helps students to understand easily and use some phrases in an actual situation. Having a review from the previous lesson also helps what students learned to cement in their brain!” Ayako (F, Japan)
“It’s very useful/suitable for me to communicate with foreigners.” Ken (M, Vietnam)
“I enjoy this course. As I get to know everyone, I feel more comfortable speaking in class too.” Mika (F, Japan)
“An excellent class with brilliant content. Was fantastic to meet all the students, a truly fun and interactive course with comfortable involvement. Highly recommend if you are learning English.” Darren, (M, New Zealand) (special guest in Course 3 Class 2)
Sample course schedule (Course 5, 2021)
| Lesson | Date/time* | Topic | Conversation starters |
| 1 | Sun Sept 4, 4-4:50pm | Hometowns & countries | 1. Where is your home country and hometown? 2. What is the best thing to do in your hometown? 3. Is there something your hometown is famous for? 4. Do you think it’s better to live in the city or the countryside? Why? |
| 2 | Sun Sept 11, 4-4:50pm | Interests & free time | 1. What do you like to do in your free time? 2. Are you more interested in indoor activities or outdoor activities? Why? 3. How have your interests changed since you were a child? 4. What is an activity or hobby you would like to try? |
| 3 | Sun Sept 18, 4-4:50pm | Travel | See course booklet |
| 4 | Sun Sept 25, 4-5pm | Movies & TV | See course booklet |
| 5 | Sun Oct 2, 4-4:50pm | Food & eating out | See course booklet |
| 6 | Sun Oct 9, 4-4:50pm | Outdoor activities | See course booklet |
| 7 | Sun Oct 16, 4-4:50pm | The internet & technology | See course booklet |
| 8 | Sun Oct 23, 4-4:50pm | Books & music | See course booklet |
| 9 | Sun Oct 30, 4-4:50pm | Languages & cultures | See course booklet |
| 10 | Sun Nov 6, 4-4:50pm | Future goals | See course booklet |
| Sun Nov 13, 4-4:50pm | Back up lesson |
Apply here for the Conversation Café
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